What if once in a lifetime could happen twice?
I usually know very little about a book when I read it. I read a quick blurb about Connected by Kim Karr and I saw Rock Star and HOT, and well…duh. I’m there. I very rarely read teasers, and I don’t read reviews before I buy a book, and this book was no exception. So I really had no clue what I was gonna get. I love it that way.
Dahlia London has been with her boyfriend Ben forever, and she loves him like crazy. But one night, during college, she was out with her friend and she heard an amazing singer, but couldn’t see who it was. Then between sets:
Something… no everything about him drew my attention…
“When our eyes connected it felt like minutes, in reality it was mere seconds. At that moment, something happened inside of me. The connection was like nothing I’d ever felt before. It was an electric pull that willed me in and forced me to keep looking at him.
Everything I saw and everything I felt translated into three little words–he is dangerous.
When Dahlia and River began talking, and flirting, the intense connection between them was clear.
Could love at first sight even exist when you were already in love with someone else?”
She told him she would wait as he went back on stage. But she left.
“I knew I had to leave, or I would end up doing something that I would regret. I had to leave for two reasons. First, I loved Ben, and second, Ben would fucking kill River just for looking at me the way he did.”
Three years later, we see Dahl and Ben together, with a few flashbacks thrown in that are worth paying attention to. But tragedy strikes and Dahlia is left a complete shell of herself for two years. An empty husk, barely getting through life. As she begins to heal a little bit, her friend best friend Aerie asks her to go back to her photo styling career and meet with River Wilde, the lead singer for The Wild Ones. Yes…that River. (Insert opinion here: really cool but cheesy name).
“I remember the feelings I felt then, feelings I have long since buried. I hope to God they don’t resurrect tomorrow. How could they? Those were feelings of a young college girl who was in love with someone else anyway.”
Though they both pretend to not remember, yet the instantaneous connection is there again. You feel it immediately.
“As he pushes aside a piece of my hair, tucking it behind my ear, he seductively whispers, “Dahlia, I want you. I want to kiss you, touch you, make you come over and over again. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you.”
One thing about River…he is not shy. He does not play games.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you for five years.”
He tells her how beautiful and perfect she is…often (for me, it was a little too often) but he was still totally swoonworthy.
And the sex….mmmmm…the sex, yeah, there was some good sex. Let me tell you this, I never realized how hot it is to brush your teeth!
I honestly thought this was a nice not very angsty rock star/soul mate book. In fact, at one point, I admit I found myself floundering a bit as the sweet couple got to know each other.
“I feel like fate has brought us together again. I also believe that one night, so long ago, just wasn’t the right time for us. But tonight is.”
Then I watched the amazing fan-made teaser. Damn. This is why I usually don’t read reviews or even watch spoilers. There was something in there that made me know something else would happen….so I was scared to read on, yet I suddenly couldn’t stop. I started having some thoughts that were out of left field that as I wrapped up the book I figured they would remain unaddressed. Then BAM–the fucking epilogue. Seriously? SERIOUSLY?????
Holy fuck, I need the next one, like yesterday.
Likes:
- A meaty, full novel with a great twist.
- I loved Dahlia, and River.
- My heart broke for Dahlia.
- The time was realistic. This was not a rushed romance.
- The twist. Wow. I NEEED the next one!
- I loved the cute little illustrations in the chapter breaks.
- The song titles and altered lyrics added to the book so much!
- There were homages to Fifty Shades, Thoughtless (Kellan Kyle and the D-Bags) and The Mighty Storm (Jake Wethers)
Dislikes:
- Could have used a strong editor. Great story, great characters, but it got rambly at parts.
- Word choices and repetitive words started to grate on my nerves (“hardness”) *Some of these issues may have been resolved prior to publishing, I reviewed an ARC.*
***Update from the author, there has been more editing done and it will be uploaded to Amazon very soon! Good news! That would raise my review to a 4.5 stars.
Rating: 4 stars, 4.25 Heat.
I going to be honest here. I just came off reading another amazeballs book with the first third -half of the book having a very similar storyline. Though the similarities ended, I think that may be part of the reason I can’t go to a higher rating here. I really enjoyed Connected. I did. That being said, I had some issues with it dragging in the middle and too much of River’s gushing about how beautiful and perfect Dahlia was.
There is more to this book title than meets the eye. There are some other connections as well woven lightly throughout the story. But the connection between River and Dahlia was so freaking strong, you just know these guys are soul mates. Connected tugged at my heartstrings, made me tear up, made me fall in love, made me fan myself, and made me want more! There is no question about it, I will grab the next book, Torn, when it comes out in the fall.
“I never imagined I could feel so connected to anyone as much as I feel connected to you. I knew I loved you from the moment I saw you. How could I not? Loving you is as easy as breathing.”
Purchase Connected by Kim Karr
Amazon | BN.com
Torn, the second in this book duet comes out in the fall of 2013. The story of River and Dahlia will end with Torn, but four novellas will be released featuring side characters from the series. Kim Karr has also agreed to give me a sneak peek at Torn for her stop here today:
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** TEASER from TORN **
(spoiler alert if you have not read Connected)
Pre-order Torn: Amazon | BN.com (October 1, 2013)
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Kim Karr has also been gracious enough to supply Ana’s Attic with 1 e-book and 1 signed paperback to give away to you guys!
Jennifer Rivera says
I haven’t read it yet but I have one clicked it. I like reading your reviews 🙂
Jennifer Rivera says
Absolutely…would love a second chance myself
Joni Payne says
Yes, absolutely I believe in soul mates.
Gloria says
Do I believe in soul mates… I guess I do! Meet my husband at a bar one night and I found this instant connection! It was love at first sight! And now 7 years later I couldn’t be happier! I fall in love with him everyday… He makes me the happiest girl in the world! I never thought I would have found my soulmate but I did.
Darcy Fifield says
This book is on my list to read. Can’t wait.
Vicki Deatelhauser says
I absolutely believe in soul mates! My husband is definitely my soul mate – I couldn’t imagine life without him!!!
kp says
I do believe in soul mates! Can’t wait to read this book!!!
Lariza says
I do believe in soul mates!! There’s someone out there for everyone!! Can’t wait to read this book!!
Tracy Graczykowski says
Yes, I married mine.
Maria Malaveci says
Yes, I absolutely do!!! ♥
Abbie D. says
I absolutely believe in them!
Kelly Tannacore says
I totally believe in soul mates….me and my husband were the best of friends, he wanted more, I was with someone else (really bad relationship) 8 years later, our paths crossed again, and now we are happily married with a little boy. Totally believe!!!
Jenn says
Yes I do!!!
Tatia White says
Absolutely. You find that person who matches you so well that you couldn’t imagine life w/o them. My husband matches me so well. I could never see myself with anyone else.
Heather says
Yes I do believe in soul mates 🙂
Donna Freeman says
yes, totally. I met my husband the first time at when I was 11yrs old at a neighborhood swimming pool. I told him he was my true love and he just laughed. I met up with him again 3yrs later and after dating for 2 yrs we were married when I was 16. We have now been married for 33yrs and I do believe he my soul mate.
Sónia Costa says
Yes I do 🙂
Gena Robertson says
Yes, I do believe in soul mates 🙂
Shanean R says
I absolutely believe in soul mates. Whether it be a friend or lover you just know when your soul clicks with another and you have found that missing half of you.
Teri Beth says
I do believe in soul mates. I think there’s a perfect person for everyone. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Stephanie Brown says
I believe in Soul mates in every sense. Both Romantic, and Platonic.
Dawn Bush says
I believe in soul mates! I think I have mine!! Thanks for the chance!
Sara Long Butler says
I think that there are many people in the world that will fit you. My husband and I have always had a connection that I never experienced with anyone else. We are literally perfect for each other, but I don’t think he’s necessarily the only person in the world that I could have felt these things with. but I do consider myself lucky to have found him…
Lisa w says
Soul mates…. Yes, or at least I want to believe in them!
Stephanie Phillips says
yes, I believe in soul mates 🙂
Michelina says
Yes I do! I am married to my soulmate and we found each other on a blind date 8 years ago 🙂
When you find your soulmate you just know!
Shelly Ford says
Yes I believe in soul mates! Hope there’s one for everybody!
Amy Malek Concepcion says
Yes I absolutely believe in soul mates. Thanks for the giveaway
Tina M says
Yes I married mine 27 years ago..
Carey S. says
Abso-freakin’-lutly!
Jenny says
Yes! I’ve been with mine for 19 years 🙂
Bayli Lane says
Yes i do. And I married mine! <3
Angela Love says
I do believe……. I have been married to mine for 18.5 years and been together for 21 years…..
Thank you for this chance to win…
angelalove@uwmail.com
Alyssa says
Yes I do! I believe that God has created one person that is destined to be for you.
Kirsty says
I believe in soul mates.
Rhea Fuentes Ker says
Yes, i believe in soul mates! But i also believe that not everyone gets to meet them.
Debbie Murray says
I do believe in true soul mates. However I don’t think that very many people are ever lucky enough to meet that one soul that is meant to truly be theirs.
Christina says
I believe in timing but not soul mates. I LOVED this book! Much more than Falling Into You even and that was before the twist. There needs to be a new word for twist, it needs to be bigger and stronger to even come close to describing the ending of this book. I heart River!
J. gore says
Great review! So now I’m really interested in reading this book!
J. gore says
I am not sure that I believe in soul-mates but here’s the thing… I really want to!
Mick Murphy says
I do believe in soul-mates!
mickalamurphy@yahoo.com
debbie says
Great review! I do believe in soul-mates but not everyone gets to meet theirs.
Adrienne Scales says
I agree with your review especially the likes and dislikes. I got kinda tired of “tears streaming down her face”. But with that said it should not keep you from reading this amazing story!
This is definitely one of my new favorites! And yes I do believe in soulmates!
Nichole C says
YES!
Melissa D says
Probably, although I’ve never met mine!!!!
Darci says
This book is now on my TBR list!
Darci says
And I think I do….I love my husband and can’t see anyone else putting up with my crazy ways: )
Holly U says
Yes, I do. 🙂
Alexandra says
I want to believe it!
tara san-van says
i do believe in soul-mates!
Sara G. says
I do believe in soul mates, but I think you can have more than one. I don’t think there’s only one right person out there for you.
Cindy says
Yes, I do and I’m lucky to have found mine!!
June M. says
I think I do, even though I have not met mine yet. My grandparents though were defintely soul mates, married almost 60 years before my grandfather passed away, they raised their 11 children and then enjoyed dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My grandmother still misses Papow every day (as do the rest of us)
Nae says
I sure do belive in soul mates and high scholl sweehearts. lol.
A great review Ava, it looks pretty emotional, just what I need. 🙂
Teresa Edwards says
Yep I believe in soul mates, I married mine. My friend set us up on a blind date when I was a freshman and he was a junior in high school. We dated three months and broke up. Got back together my sophmore year and have been together ever since. Will be married 20 years this August. Can’t imagine life without him!!
Lorie says
Yes! Not everyone finds theirs, but I think everyone has one. 🙂
Zita R says
Not sure if I believe in soul mates since I have never met mine. I like the idea of it though.
Scheva says
Not sure everyone has a soulmate….but obviously a lot of your readers have theirs! Jealous!
Missy Adams says
Yes….. I just have not met mine yet!
Sue says
Mine got lost somewhere along the way, but yes I do believe in soul mates.
antane says
I do not.
Kim says
I do… 🙂
Sharon Chalk says
oh my that book sounds good,but it will be hard at best to wait till the fall the read the rest.I wish more books were standalone because you can go nuts waiting and if there is not a prewait button on amazon,then you have to write it down on your calendar and hope you remember when the next part of the series comes out,specially when its as good as this one looks to be!! zanarigrandma@gmail.com
Veronica says
Seeing my grandparents together, yes yes I do
Joanne Christenson says
I absolutely positively believe in soul mates
Cathy says
Yeah, I guess I do. I just haven’t met mine yet.
Lisa Sanders says
Absolutely. I met my husband on the day I moved on to campus and my husband held the door for my my parents. I just said “Nice t-shirt.” We kept running into each other on campus and now we’ve been married 11 years and have a beautiful daughter.
Alisa says
Everyone has a soul mate out there. I met mine as well. Ten years ago
Molly F. says
I don’t believe in soul mates. I’ve never really been around a love like that, so having not experienced it myself nor seeing someone experience it, I don’t really believe in it. But, it would be awesome to be a part of a love that is so consuming and right.